Pennsylvania Wood Cockroach

• Pennsylvania wood cockroaches are rare in our area. They are even rarer to find indoors.
• In states where they are more populous, Pennsylvania wood cockroaches can be seen at night climbing on the trunks of trees.
• Pennsylvania wood cockroaches are attracted to lights and may be seen at night near outdoor lights, especially lights located near woodlands.

• Outdoors, nymph and adult Pennsylvania wood cockroaches can be found beneath loose bark in woodpiles, stumps, and hollow trees.
• Buildings located within woods will sometimes have Pennsylvania wood cockroaches crawl under siding; especially homes with cedar shake shingles. They may also be found in rain gutters of homes in or near woodlands.
• Inside, Pennsylvania wood cockroaches do not congregate in any specific area as other species of cockroaches do. (ie: under sinks, in basements, etc.) Pennsylvania wood cockroaches will wander throughout your home.

• Adult males are approximately 1” in length
• Adult females are slightly smaller and wider, growing to about ¾” in length
• Adults are a dark, chestnut brown; with a lighter, whitish-yellow border around the sides of the thorax.
• Adult males have wings, which are longer than their abdomen. Male Pennsylvania wood cockroaches are good fliers and fly swiftly but not for long periods.
• Adult females have conspicuous wing pads which cover one-third to two-thirds of their abdomen. Female Pennsylvania wood cockroaches are not capable of flight.

No, Pennsylvania wood cockroaches are not dangerous. They are not known to carry any diseases.

• Pennsylvania wood cockroaches most often find their way indoors in firewood.
• They are attracted to lights at night and may gain entry through cracks and gaps around doors and windows, torn screens, and under doors.

• Pennsylvania wood cockroaches are most often carried into homes in firewood. Inspect firewood for all types of pests before bringing it indoors.
• Store firewood away from the house.
• Inspect the exterior of your home and seal cracks or crevices in the foundation or walls.
• Use window screening and install door sweeps under all doors.
• A wide lawn between heavily wooded areas and your home can limit Pennsylvania wood cockroaches crawling from the surrounding woods to your building.

Pennsylvania wood cockroaches feed primarily on decaying organic matter, but they have been observed feeding on live and dead insects, mushrooms, sap, and feces.

• The Pennsylvania wood cockroach has three developmental stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
• The mating season for Pennsylvania wood cockroaches is in May and June.
• Eggs are laid in egg capsules or oothecae and deposited behind the loose bark of dead trees and fallen logs, or under cedar shingles.
• The egg stage lasts about 32 days.
• The nymphal stage typically lasts 10 to 12 months but can last up to 2 years depending on temperature and other environmental conditions.
• The normal lifespan of the female adult Pennsylvania wood cockroach is several months.